Dromedary vs Bactrian Camel: What’s the Difference?
The main difference between dromedary and Bactrian camels is the number of humps: the dromedary has one, and the Bactrian has two. Dromedaries are taller, slimmer, short-haired camels of the hot deserts of North Africa and the Middle East. Bactrian camels are stockier, with a thick shaggy winter coat, and come from the cold deserts and steppes of Central Asia.
| Dromedary Camel | Bactrian Camel | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Camelus dromedarius | Camelus bactrianus |
| Lifespan | about 40 years typical maximum under human care; some individuals reach 50 | up to 40–50 years upper range under human care; many working animals live 20–40 years |
| Weight | 300–600 kg (660–1,320 lb) | 300–1,000 kg (660–2,200 lb) |
| Size | 1.7–2.0 m (5.6–6.6 ft) (shoulder height) | 1.6–1.8 m (5.2–5.9 ft) (shoulder height) |
| Top speed | 40–65 km/h (25–40 mph) | up to 65 km/h (40 mph) |
| Gestation / incubation | about 13 months (12–15 months) | about 13 months |
| Diet | Herbivore | Herbivore |
| Family | Camelidae | Camelidae |
| Habitat | Desert, Semi-desert, Arid scrub, Dry grassland | Cold desert, Steppe, Rocky mountains, Semi-desert |
| IUCN status | Domesticated | Domesticated |
Figures shown are for the dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius) and the bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus).
Key differences
Humps
A dromedary has a single hump, and a Bactrian camel has two. An easy memory trick uses the capital letters on their sides: D for dromedary has one bump, and B for Bactrian has two. In both species the humps store fat, not water. A well-fed camel's humps stand firm and upright, and they shrink or flop over when reserves run low.
Climate and coat
Dromedaries are built for heat, with a short coat, long legs that hold the body high above hot sand, and a lean frame. Bactrian camels endure some of the world's most extreme seasonal swings, from scorching summers to bitterly cold winters. They grow a long, woolly coat, beard and mane in winter, then shed it in great clumps in spring.
Range
Dromedaries are found across North Africa, the Horn of Africa, the Arabian Peninsula and on through Iran to northwestern India. Australia also has a large feral population, descended from animals imported in the 1800s. Domestic Bactrian camels live in Mongolia, northern China, Kazakhstan and neighboring parts of Central Asia, along the old Silk Road.
Build
The dromedary is the taller and leaner of the two, with longer legs and a lighter frame that suits riding and racing. The Bactrian is shorter in the leg, broader and heavier-boned, with tougher feet for rocky and frozen ground. It is the better pack animal, steadily carrying heavy loads over long distances and high mountain passes.
Wild relatives
The dromedary has not existed as a truly wild animal for some two thousand years; every one alive is domestic or feral. A wild two-humped camel does survive in the Gobi region of China and Mongolia. It is now treated as a separate species, Camelus ferus, not the ancestor of domestic Bactrians, and is Critically Endangered.
How to tell them apart
- Count the humps: one means dromedary, and two mean Bactrian.
- Remember the letters: a D on its side has one hump, and a B has two.
- A long shaggy coat, beard and thick mane indicate a Bactrian camel, at least in winter.
- A tall, slim, short-haired camel in Africa, Arabia or Australia is a dromedary.
What they have in common
Both are members of the genus Camelus and are superbly adapted to deserts. They share broad, padded two-toed feet, nostrils that close against sand, a double row of long eyelashes, and oval red blood cells that keep flowing during dehydration. Both can go long periods without drinking, then take in a huge volume of water within minutes, and both provide milk, meat, wool and transport.
Frequently asked questions
Can dromedary and Bactrian camels interbreed?
Yes. The two species produce fertile hybrids, which have long been bred deliberately in Turkey, Iran, Kazakhstan and elsewhere. Known by names such as tulu or nar, these hybrids are larger and stronger than either parent and typically have a single long hump, sometimes with a slight dip in it.
Do camels store water in their humps?
No. The humps are reserves of fat, which the camel draws on for energy when food is scarce. Storing fat in one place, instead of all over the body, also helps the animal lose heat. Camels conserve water through concentrated urine, dry dung, and a body temperature that can fluctuate widely.
Which camel is more common?
The dromedary is far more common. Roughly nine out of ten of the world's camels are dromedaries, concentrated in the Horn of Africa, the Sahel and the Middle East. Domestic Bactrian camels number about a couple of million, and the wild camel of the Gobi fewer than a thousand.
Which camel is better for riding?
Dromedaries are generally preferred for riding and are the camels used for racing in the Arabian Peninsula, thanks to their longer legs and lighter build. Bactrian camels are slower but sturdy, and riders sit comfortably between the two humps. Bactrians are valued mainly as pack animals in cold, mountainous terrain.